In a long-awaited breakthrough, USC delivered a defining performance at home, sweeping No. 3 UCLA in straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) to claim its first win over the Bruins in 10 matches and its first sweep in over 13 years. Behind the clutch play of outside hitter Dillon Klein and middle blocker Parker Tomkinson, the Trojans executed a well-balanced attack and clean defensive effort that kept the reigning national champions off rhythm all night.
USC came out firing, posting a staggering .600 hitting percentage early in the match and ending the night with a .426 mark compared to UCLA’s .338. The Trojans’ blocking unit proved pivotal as well, out-blocking the Bruins and effectively neutralizing their offensive rhythm, especially in tight moments during the second and third sets.
Klein, one of USC’s most consistent scoring threats, led the way with a match-high nine kills, adding key blocks and playing with poise in critical rallies. Tomkinson complemented him with five kills and a hitting percentage north of .600, demonstrating sharp instincts and confident shot selection from the outside.
The duo’s performance was bolstered by Sean Kelly, who played well beyond his years. Kelly contributed five kills and added a pair of momentum-swinging blocks, one of which came during a three-point run that sealed the final set for the Trojans.
But it wasn’t just USC’s firepower that tilted the match—it was UCLA’s misfires.
The Bruins struggled to gain traction from the service line, finishing with a costly 19 service errors.. The errors not only disrupted their scoring flow but also gifted USC repeated chances to reset and capitalize. Despite standout efforts from outside hitter Zach Rama—who tallied 18 kills and led the Bruins’ offensive charge—UCLA couldn’t overcome the unforced mistakes.
The first set saw both teams trade leads in a back-and-forth battle, but USC found the edge late thanks to a timely kill from Klein, a Bruin service error and a kill by USC’s Sterling Foley. The second frame was marked by a surge from USC’s middle blockers and more steady attacking from Tomkinson, while UCLA’s service woes continued to mount.
Set three brought more of the same: strong defensive discipline from USC and UCLA unable to string together runs without being derailed by miscues. The Bruins rallied hard and trailed by one point most of the set, but the Trojans answered with a composed 3-0 stretch—capped with kills from Jack Deuchar and Tomkinson—to close out the match in emphatic fashion.
Though the Trojans celebrated a historic win, the result revealed room for improvement on both sides. For the Bruins, inconsistency at the service line and difficulty adjusting to USC’s block proved fatal. For USC, the win showcased the promise of its rising underclassmen and the maturity of its veteran leaders—traits that will be crucial as postseason play nears.
What’s Next: UCLA will compete in the MPSF Tournament, with matches scheduled for April 23 and April 26, aiming to secure key wins and build momentum heading into the postseason.
Gallery:
Freshman outside hitter Sean Kelly leaps into the air to deliver a powerful serve. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
Outside Hitter Cooper Robinson shoots up into the air preparing to deliver a spike against USC's defense. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson unleashes a powerful kill to USC defense. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
Sean Kelly winding up to to follow through on his serve. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
UCLA on defense in attempt to block a powerful spike from USC's hitters. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
Junior setter Andrew Rowan getting ready to serve the ball. He contributed two service aces in the game. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
UCLA players lock in from the sidelines as they watch USC prepare to serve. The Bruins’ bench remained engaged throughout the tight matchup. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
